For more information on TB or to get 

a TB test, call your doctor or local 

health department 

www.cdc.gov/tb/links/tboffices.htm.

For further information on TB visit:

CDC Division of Tuberculosis Elimination 

Website at www.cdc.gov/tb. 

TB disease, you must take medicine to treat 

the disease. Without treatment, TB disease 

can cause you to get very sick or even die. 

It’s important to get the required follow-up 

tests, follow your doctor’s advice, and take the 

medicine as prescribed.

Some people with HIV infection will have a 

negative test result even if they are infected 

with TB germs. This is because the immune 

system, which causes the reaction to the tests, 

is not working properly. People with HIV who 

have a negative TB test may need further 

medical evaluation, especially if they have 

symptoms of TB disease. 

What if my TB test is positive? 

A positive TB skin test or TB blood test usually 

means that you have been infected with the 

TB germs. It does not mean that you have TB 

disease. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray or 

sputum (phlegm) sample, are needed to see if 

you have developed TB disease.

What should I do if I have latent TB infection or 

TB disease?

Even if you have HIV, both latent TB infection 

and TB disease can be treated with medication. 

If you have latent TB infection and HIV, you are 

at high risk for developing TB disease. You will 

need treatment for latent TB infection as soon 

as possible to prevent TB disease. If you have 

CS260871B
People living with HIV are more likely than 

others to become sick with tuberculosis (TB). 

This is because HIV weakens the immune 

system, which makes it harder for the body to 

fight TB germs. 

What is TB?

TB is a disease that usually affects the lungs. 

TB sometimes affects other parts of the body, 

such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. TB 

disease can cause death if it is not treated.

How is TB spread

TB germs are spread from person to person 

through the air. TB germs are put into the air 

when a person with TB disease of the lungs 

or throat coughs, sneezes, laughs, or sings. 

People nearby may breathe in the germs and 

become infected. TB is NOT spread by sharing 

silverware or cups, or sharing saliva when 

kissing someone.

What is the difference between latent TB infection 

and TB disease?

Latent TB infection 

Not everyone infected with TB gets sick. 

People who are infected, but are not sick, 

have what is called latent TB infection. People 

with latent TB infection have TB germs in their 

body, but they are not sick because the germs 

lie dormant (sleeping) in their body. 

People with latent TB infection do not have 

symptoms and cannot spread the germs to 

Good News!

The good news is that latent TB infection and TB 

disease can be treated. The first step is to find 

out if you are infected with the TB germs. You 

can do this by getting a TB skin test or TB blood 

test. You can get this TB test from your doctor or 

the local health department.

How are the TB tests given?

For a TB skin test, a health worker uses a small 

needle to put some fluid, called tuberculin, 

just under your skin. This is usually done on 

the lower inside part of your arm. After you 

get the test, you must return in 2 to 3 days to 

see if there is a reaction to the test. If there is a 

reaction, the size of the reaction is measured to 

determine if you have a positive result. 

If you receive the TB blood test, a sample of your 

blood will be taken to do the test. Your health 

care worker will tell you how to get the results 

of your test.

What if my TB test is negative?

A negative test usually means you are not 

infected with TB germs. However, the tests may 

be falsely negative if you have a weakened 

immune system or if you were infected recently. 

This is because it usually takes 2 to 8 weeks 

after exposure to a person with TB disease for 

your immune system to produce a response 

to the test. If you have a negative result and it 

has been less than 8 weeks since you were last 

exposed to TB disease, you may need to get a 

second test. Your health care worker will let you 

know if you need another test.

others. However, these people could develop 

TB disease in the future, especially if they have 

HIV. To prevent developing TB disease, people 

with latent TB infection can take medicine.

TB disease

People with TB disease are sick from the large 

number of TB germs that are active in their body. 

They usually have one or more of the symptoms 

of TB disease. People with TB disease often feel 

weak or sick, lose weight, have fever, and have 

night sweats. If TB disease is in their lungs, they 

may also cough and have chest pain, and they 

might cough up blood. Other symptoms depend 

on what part of the body is affected by the TB 

germs.

People with TB disease may spread TB germs 

to others. TB disease needs to be treated with 

medicine. If NOT treated, a person with TB disease 

can have serious health problems and die. 

Why is it important to know if I am infected with both 

TB and HIV?

If you have HIV, it is important to know if you 

have TB infection because HIV weakens the 

immune system. When a person’s immune 

system is weak, latent TB infection can quickly 

progress to TB disease. If you have HIV, it is very 

important to get a TB test.

If you have latent TB infection or TB disease, and 

you do not know your HIV status, you should get 

an HIV test. This will help your physician know 

how to treat both your TB and HIV infections.